WTB: Phono preamp

Clipdat

Let me know what you got. Thanks.

mhardy6647

Do you want a good one or just something to get you started?

My reason for asking isn't necessarily strictly academic.

Clipdat

Not tube.

Does that help?

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Do you want a good one or just something to get you started?

mhardy6647

I don't have any spare tube preamps -- well, except that one that doesn't belong to me

Clipdat

Vinyl is warm enough already, why add tubes?

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I don't have any spare tube preamps -- well, except that one that doesn't belong to me

mhardy6647

heck, even I use a soiled-state phono preamp... but not because of any perceived "tube warmth" thing





Sorry, these are topics for other threads. Let me check stock & see if I have a worthy surplus -- I might...

Someone else should chime in, though -- I guarantee that I don't have anything
this crowd would consider sexy!

Clipdat

I'm more a fan of Aural Sex, versus how a piece of gear looks.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Someone else should chime in, though -- I guarantee that I don't have anything
this crowd would consider sexy!

Clipdat

DIP switches ahoy. That thing looks way too complex for my feeble brain.

DSkip wrote: »

Jump on the Vista Phono tour. You would be next in line demo it.

Clipdat

This is my stylus info:

Nightclub E Stylus Technical Data

Output voltage at 1000Hz, 5cm/sec. - 8 mV
Channel balance at 1kHz - 1,5 dB
Channel separation at 1kHz - 23 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz - 15 dB
Frequency range at -3dB - 20-22.000 Hz
Frequency response - 20-20.000 Hz +/- 1,5 dB
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommmende tracking force - 80 μm
Compliance, dynamic lateral - 7 μm/m N
Stylus type - Special Elliptical
Stylus tip radius - r/R 13/25 μm

Tracking force range - 2,0-5,0 g (20-50 mN)
Tracking force recommended - 3,0 g (30 mN)
Tracking angle - 20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 1000 Ohm
Internal inductance - 580 mH
Recommended load resistance - 47 kOhm
Recommended load capacitance - 200-600 pF

Clipdat

BTW if these specs suck, don't hesitate to say so.

aprazer402

This one, that I own, is most definitely not sexy. It's maker would not even put a brand on it. It looks to be in fine physical condition. I've never had the desire to test it. I too have been wanting to upgrade to a separate phono-pre. Extremely large selection available. mhardy mentioned the Shiit's Mani phono-pre, and the Lounge LCR. Others here like the Vincent and Budgie (both w/tubes). There's the Parasound Zphono, Musical Fidelity MX-Vynl, Cambridge 651P, Pro-Ject Phono Box, various NAD models. There's quite a number available under $500.00 to start with.

Clipdat

Yeah! There's certainly a lot to choose from.

I'd like something that's relatively inexpensive, but that doesn't suck. I realize that's a tall order.

mhardy6647

The Art DJpre II gets good reports, as does the Schiit Mani (is that the phono preamp? I think so... too lazy to check).

I can vouch for Hagerman's Bugle and Bugle 2. Very fine little preamps at reasonable prices (DIY).

MrBuhl

I don't have one anymore, mine was donated to my son's system. But solid state for a song and a dance that doesn't suck, Project Phono Box comes to mind. Hard to beat IMO.

Clipdat

Thanks for the replies so far. Anyone have anything used that they're looking to sell right now?

trav0810

I Have a Bottle Head Seduction I'd sell.


It even has a nice pair of vintage Amperex orange Globe tubes in it.



I'm asking $200, Shipped CONUS

I don't ever see these come up for sale, so I don't know what an accurate value is. Fellow members, if my asking price is High, please let me know. If it's low, please let a potential buyer know! LOL

Clipdat

Thanks but not looking for a tube based pre.

trav0810 wrote: »

I Have a Bottle Head Seduction I'd sell.

trav0810

Clipdat wrote: »

Thanks but not looking for a tube based pre.

trav0810 wrote: »

I Have a Bottle Head Seduction I'd sell.

Ah...yeah, I see that now.

Clipdat

Been doing some reading, and it seems like the 8.0mV output of my cartridge is unusually high for most MM cartridges.

As a result, I could probably get away with a phono preamp that uses less gain, or that has variable settings. The rationale being that less gain needed = better sound quality.

Clipdat

Is it always on? I don't see a power switch.

nbrowser wrote: »

Find one of these, excellent performance for it's price and size. one found it's way here....not leaving any time soon sadly.

http://www.parasound.com/zphono.php

Clipdat

Nice. Might have to find something like a small piece of electrical tape to put over the power light.

AA has them for $200, not bad.

nbrowser wrote: »

Yep, plug it in and forget it. It draws so little power that Parasound just doesn't put a switch on it. Mine's been on steady since the day it arrived, no ill has come to it.

Clipdat

Nice. Might be dim enough then. It's for my bedroom setup so any "standby" LEDs are usually annoying.

nbrowser wrote: »

Draws all of 5 watts and...the LED on the one that I have is green and really not blindingly bright.

tratliff

zPhone is great for the price. If you can find one used even better.

motorhead43026

Vincent PHO-8 or the PHO-7, both big bang for the buck.

Audio Advisor has them on sale on a regular basis.

dromunds

Get on the Vista Phono tour like Skip says and see how you like it. Don't be intimidated by the switches for load and gain, Skip or someone else can walk you thru how to set the switches its super easy once you understand the set-up. See how you like it, as he said you'd be next on the tour. If you find you need to go even more budget than that, or it doesn't trip your trigger for some other reason, I would suggest finding a used Parasound z-phono, (without the USB option) I found one for a buddy for a hundy shipped. Tremendous bang for buck.

dromunds

After typing the above, I noticed Kharp1 is selling his Vista Audio at a very attractive price. Read the reviews from the tour, its a real nice unit and his price is very reasonable to say the least, virtually brand new.

Clipdat

I wonder how the Vista would directly compare to the Zphono and what the differences would be.

Jaybeez

I’m getting ready to sell one of these : http://www.loungeaudio.com/lcr-mr-iii

Clipdat

Is there a way to turn off the blue light?

Jaybeez wrote: »

I’m getting ready to sell one of these : http://www.loungeaudio.com/lcr-mr-iii

dromunds

The Vista can be dialed in to various cartridges. That’s nice if you change cartridges that have different gain and load. The Parasound zphono is real nice sounding for the money but can’t be adjusted. If you can find a zphono for about a hundred used and plan to use a typical MM cart it’s hard to beat it’s bang for the buck. If you desire the flexibility of multiple load and gain settings for different carts then the Vista is a good choice. I’ve heard them both and they both sound good for the money.

Clipdat

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it!

I inquired with Kerry regarding the Vista, if Dave passes on it.

Otherwise I will probably order the Zphono. Would like to stay $200 or below if possible.

dromunds wrote: »

The Vista can be dialed in to various cartridges. That’s nice if you change cartridges that have different gain and load. The Parasound zphono is real nice sounding for the money but can’t be adjusted. If you can find a zphono for about a hundred used and plan to use a typical MM cart it’s hard to beat it’s bang for the buck. If you desire the flexibility of multiple load and gain settings for different carts then the Vista is a good choice. I’ve heard them both and they both sound good for the money.